Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ruger African .280AI

Yes,a .318 or even the .350 Rigby would be "skookum."

Probably not without modifications. It can be made to fit a standard Mauser, so why not a 77?

Doesn't Ruger make an action that a .300 H&H will fit in?

I ask cause Ruger made a .375 H&H and the .416 Rigby many moons ago.

^^^^ A far better choice than the 280ai.

I think Lipsey made a mistake. There is no IMHO lineage between the 280 (Ackley or the 7mm Remington Express version) and Africa. I think it's solely because the 280ai is a "hot round" right now, and they're trying to pull off a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup moment. Not working. Be like having a 6 Creedmoor African.

Yes. The RSM action is a full-length magnum action.

I've handled, but not shot, one reworked from 7RM to a 7-300WBY. The owner was very happy with it.

What do I know here? Not much, but the Ruger M77 Hawkeye African is just a platform that has lots of class with the barrel band sling stud, the black fore end tip and the 2 crossbolts, which are for aesthetics only. It has a 24" barrel one weight heavier than most Hawkeyes.
Just because it is called the African model, doesn't mean you can only use it in Africa.
The 280 AI is a classy cartridge and my current favorite in my Ruger No.1A.
For those suggesting those obscure English rounds, Ruger will not even consider chambering a firearm in a cartridge without SAAMI specs.

If this rifle was chambered one 30-06 and the barrel was 22 inches, I’d have one ordered.

I would buy a 24" barrel over a 22" barrel every time.

Agreed, and a select few gun buyers have ever heard of some of these rounds.

I can remember very well when 8x57 Remington 700 Classics being sold for $350 new in the box. And even at that price most were being purchased as donors.

For me, nostalgia only goes so far, and I am quickly disillusioned with low-pressure under-performing rounds.

The 9X57MM Mauser was a popular round in Africa around WWI but I seriously doubt if Ruger would make any rifles in that caliber.

You couldn't give me an obsolete 8X57

Just a thought previously mentioned, but a 7x64 (the original 280) would have been nice.
When they do a run of them in 30-06 I'll buy one to join my 6.5x55 African.

StarchedCover

Paid 349 for mine,last thing on my mind was using it for a donor.It's funny American 8x57 ammo is loaded low pressure yet the European ammo is far from low pressure. Most African rds historically were not loaded to the pressure levels the 280 AI operate at because of tropical heat raising pressure levels even higher. Now with the advent of temperature insensitive powders maybe that is not as big of concern. I would guess it is the styling that people want more than the intent to use it in Africa. At $1300+ I haven't run out and bought one yet. MB

Perhaps they are planning on the styling of the rifle as a selling point. Ruger African is a cool rifle. 280 A.I. is a cool cartridge. Although to me, they don't compliment each other. Lots of folks just want a cool cartridge in a cool looking rifle and really don't know or care about traditional African ordnance. If they chambered it in 6.5 Creed they probably couldn't keep up with demand.

I wouldn't even try to. I'm betting you could use some Flomax though.

Ken that was their "Express" model...a big ass heavy gun compared to a standard 77.

Don't think tha I am like you, just kee pool your flowmax

Tom,that's the one I was thinking of.

Or a Ruger 77 for that matter.